We ARE proud, and we ARE real

As a soon-to-be resident of Eureka, I read the Times-Standard regularly. I look forward to Tim Martin's Sunday column. I love his wit, humor, and view point. He makes me think and sometimes cheer. But this week, I must respond.

My gay husband and I are eagerly anticipating our first Humboldt Pride in 2015. Sadly, we will be in relocation transition for the 2014 celebration. Has Mr. Martin attended the local event? Obviously I have not and have no reference point for the flamboyant displays mentioned. I do know this. Many of the marchers in the NYC parade where I've lived the past nine years do attend in career gear: we have both NYPD and FDNY contingents, health care organizations, religious organizations, and congregations who give out water as marchers pass their churches on the long walk down 5th Avenue. Many of the female impersonators and scantily clad gyrating men are, indeed, also in their career gear. It's what they wear to make their living in nightclubs. We have mega retail operations with contingents, floats and trademark balloons, senators, congress representatives and all manner of LGBT folks and everything in between. Who's cheering the parade on? LGBT folks, yes, but also thousands of parents, grandparents and children. It's a family community event. It is also the one event most voluntarily worked by those who "protect and serve" because it's fun, safe and the easiest Sunday double-time pay of the year.

What about humanitarian organizations and charities? There's the Rainbow World Fund, The Trevor Project (It Gets Better), and also the Gay Men's Health Crisis — the topic of HBO's recent movie, "The Normal Heart." These are just a few organizations founded and funded by LGBT efforts. Millions of gay dollars have also helped fund the ACLU. The LGBT community is also often responsible for the revitalization of rundown neighborhoods. Look up Asbury Park, New Jersey — Bruce Springsteen's famous "My Hometown." Dilapidated and dangerous for many years, it is once again a vibrant beach community. Yep, we started that change, too.

And let me not dare forget one of the many organizations with active Humboldt chapters: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Their website states that they are: "a leading-edge Order of queer nuns, devoted to community service, ministry and outreach and to promoting human rights, respect for diversity and spiritual enlightenment." So what if they wear drag at events? Is it different from Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon in "Some Like it Hot" or Julie Andrews in "Victor/Victoria"? Actually, it is. The movies were entertainment. The Sisters do it to further their mission.

As for references of lewd behavior, has Mr. Martin ever attended Mardi Gras in New Orleans? We look like spirit-filled church ladies singing hymns on Sunday (hallelujah) compared to this annual event in a most conservative state. We don't hear much about that from the media, and we certainly don't hear of it from the organizations referenced in Sunday's column.

I can't help but wonder: Had Mr. Martin's column been written in the 1960s about the Civil Rights movement, would he have suggested that the marchers at Selma and the students who integrated the University of Alabama "get real" and wear white face makeup, tone it down and appear less offensive? Sounds harsh, but it's as much a matter of perspective as it is perception.

We CHOSE Eureka from hundreds of places in the USA and abroad. On our most recent visit in June, our final decision was made because of the societal integration we experienced. Everywhere we went we were met with acceptance sometimes even more so than in the NYC Megalopolis. When conversing with locals, there was no negativity. In fact, we were overwhelmingly welcomed and residents conveyed excitement that Eureka would be our home.

When our relocation is complete, I hope to meet Mr. Martin (may I have an autograph?) and will gladly escort him and his family to the 2015 Pride events if he's game. I assure you we won't be in drag or chaps showing bare bums. I would frighten fish dressed that way.

We are proud, and we are real. I celebrate every LGBT person possessing the courage to be themselves. Had it not been for drag queens standing up at Stonewall in 1969, there would be no pride marches today. We'd still be the bachelor uncles and spinster aunts hiding in closeted fear.

March on, my fellow LGBT community, march on.

Terry Jones will soon be departing Jersey City, New Jersey, to become a proud resident of Eureka.